Manchester: Police issue warning after sexual assault in Salford

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the attackGreater Manchester Police

Police have issued a warning after a woman was sexually assaulted by a man armed with a knife in Salford, Manchester. The 22-year-old woman was walking along Lamb Lane around 1am on Tuesday (22 December) when she was approached by the man.

He threatened her with the knife and demanded cash, before dragging her away from the street and onto some waste ground where he sexually assaulted her before making his escape. After being disturbed by a passing car, he fled towards the city centre.

Detective Inspector Kenny Blain said: "This is a worrying attack against a woman walking alone and one which could have turned out much worse. I dread to think what would have happened had the attacker not been disturbed by the passing car and ran off.

"We are treating this attack extremely seriously and would like people to be particularly vigilant when walking in the area at night. Obviously we would like any potential witnesses to come forward, but ultimately the safety of people in the area is of paramount concern."

The perpetrator is described as a white male aged between 28 and 30 years, around 5ft 5in tall, with a skinny build and short dark hair. He has a distinctive a bar-type piercing to the top of his right ear and was wearing a dark waterproof training jacket at the time of the attack Sky News reports.

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 856 5360 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.